CHICAGO: LINCOLN PARK HOME WALK (part 4)

LINCOLN PARK

2202 N. ORCHARD STREET, LINCOLN PARK

Backtrack a little on W. Dickens into the wonderful Oz Park. Walk north along the tennis courts and then stop for a moment to enjoy the dogs chasing each other and having a blast: watching them go nuts should bring a smile to your face. Past the dog area, take the diagonal path northwest, along the playground to W. Webster Street.

2202 N. Orchard Street lies on the opposite side of the street — it’s built in that same contemporary Lincoln Park style as the one on Orchard.

Continue west on W. Webster and you’ll reach its intersection with Halsted Street. If it was too early in the morning to get a slice of a pizza at Amato’s Pizza, then a decent breakfast can be had at Toast (look for the sign that looks like a giant piece of toast). Alternatively, if it’s not morning, then now’s your chance to grab a cocktail or two before forging on. Actually, who cares if it’s morning? Indulge in a bloody mary anyway. You’ve walked three miles — you’ve earned it! If you’re more in a lunch mood, The Athenian Room offers consistently good Greek food.

838 W. WEBSTER AVENUE, LINCOLN PARK

Just a block down you’ll find another boxy, modern home sure to appeal to minimalists. If your style is more traditional, then you’ll probably like the place across the street with the giant round window a little better.

Now it’s time for some home furnishing shopping. Stay on the south side of Webster to pass Stuff (955) for high-end vintage and classic furnishings and, just a block down, Classic Remix (1015) for old and new home furnishings. If you have a sweet tooth, go all the way to Sweet Mandy B’s (1208) for one (or two) of the city’s best cupcakes. Backtrack a tiny bit, then take Clifton two blocks back to Armitage, where you’ll cross the street and hang a left. Walking east again, you’ll pass Millionaire Rejects (1131), another used furnishing store (95% crap / 5% quality) that’s kind of fun.

1920 N. KENMORE AVENUE, LINCOLN PARK

Take a right onto N. Kenmore Avenue, and walk a little ways to 1920, your final — and probably my favorite — home on the tour. Set back — hidden even — on this quiet street, the owners seem to have nothing to prove. With its silo-like tower, bright colors and unconventional sprawl it’s got a sort of whimsicalness to it. It’s cozier than the others.

Continue down Kenmore to North Maud Avenue, one of the more charming, and less showy, streets in Lincoln Park. Hang left, walk less than two blocks and you’ll be back at Sheffield Street. One block to your right it crosses Willow Street, where you started this adventure.